May 2011

Dear Friends,

Action or inaction?

Are we doers or onlookers? Are we sitting on the fence or jumping over the barrier?

Sometimes it is difficult to decide what to do, which side to select and where to position ourselves; yet it is so important to have an opinion or a point of view. How do we go about defining ourselves and are we willing to do it? Can we be fair, just and frank within? If we are, then the outside world and the people in it will see us for who we know we are. We gain by clarifying our intentions and our statements. Why would we let others figure things out about us when they truly have no access to what is inside us?

Information inundates us from all sides; but only we can truly filter it. How would anyone else know how to do it for us? Do other people know what is good for us? I believe you can see what I am getting at. We must make our mind up. If we don’t, someone else will try to do it for us; and it might be against us! Why is that so? We all have different belief systems, linked to our life experience and social, cultural, spiritual, intellectual and ethical points of reference. If we don’t think of ourselves first, someone else will and then we get into trouble within us, with others and confusion sets in. Can you imagine how many times I hear people tell me that they are confused?

I am unable to say which direction you ought to follow, but I do know we all need one, as without a purpose and without faith we are indeed poor. Each of you has his or her outlook as an individual and you might tap into some collective convictions as a group, a team, a family and so on. Let us always be careful to remember where ideas come from and who owns them.

If we leave information with its source, we are free to ponder what is significant for us in it. We respect others’ opinions and leave what is not for us. Do we need a plethora of facts? We could just stick to the relevant ones and form an opinion. We don’t like to be crowded by unnecessary bulk. We like some sort of order, it clears the brain and the outlook to the future. Our position in the present situation and the immediate future becomes brighter without delay. We can build on it and more importantly be seen in our own light by others. We must care for ourselves before looking after others. Our safety requires it and our security is paramount.

As a story, please read the following Retiring Carpenter, it shows how important it is to think for oneself and to do the best by us at all times:

The Retiring Carpenter Story

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the pay check, but he needed to retire. He would get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in
his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, and erect a wall. “Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said. Your attitude and the choices you make today build the “house” you live in tomorrow.